Hamlet Scenes

Question 1

Act 1 scene 1

Answer 1

The guards and Horatio encounter the Ghost of King Hamlet on the battlements at Elsinore.

Question 2

Act 1 scene 2

Answer 2

Claudius holds court, addressing his marriage to Gertrude and young Fortinbras’ threat. Hamlet expresses grief over his father’s death and Claudius’ swift marriage to his mother.

Question 3

Act 1 scene 3

Answer 3

Laertes warns Ophelia about Hamlet’s intentions. Polonius gives fatherly advice to Laertes and forbids Ophelia from seeing Hamlet.

Question 4

Act 1 scene 4

Answer 4

Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus see the Ghost. The Ghost beckons Hamlet to follow.

Question 5

Act 1 scene 5

Answer 5

The Ghost reveals he was murdered by Claudius and urges Hamlet to seek revenge. Hamlet swears to remember and obey the Ghost.

Question 6

Act 2 scene 1

Answer 6

Polonius sends Reynaldo to spy on Laertes. Ophelia reports Hamlet’s strange behavior, and Polonius believes Hamlet is lovesick.

Question 7

Act 2 scene 2

Answer 7

Claudius and Gertrude welcome Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet. Polonius presents his “love-crazed” theory. Hamlet mocks Polonius and realizes Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are spies. Players arrive, and Hamlet plans the play to confirm Claudius’ guilt.

Question 8

Act 3 scene 1

Answer 8

Claudius and Polonius eavesdrop on Hamlet and Ophelia. Hamlet delivers the “To be or not to be” soliloquy and harshly rejects Ophelia.

Question 9

Act 3 scene 2

Answer 9

Hamlet directs the players and watches Claudius during the play. Claudius reacts guiltily and storms out.

Question 10

Act 3 scene 3

Answer 10

Claudius attempts to pray for forgiveness. Hamlet considers killing him but decides to wait for a more damning moment.

Question 11

Act 3 scene 4

Answer 11

In Gertrude’s chamber, Hamlet confronts her about her actions. Polonius, hiding behind a curtain, is stabbed and killed. The Ghost appears to remind Hamlet of his purpose.

Question 12

Act 4 scene 1

Answer 12

Gertrude informs Claudius of Polonius’ death. Claudius schemes to send Hamlet to England.

Question 13

Act 4 scene 2

Answer 13

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern try to learn where Hamlet hid Polonius’ body, but he mocks them.

Question 14

Act 4 scene 3

Answer 14

Claudius sends Hamlet to England, secretly planning his execution.

Question 15

Act 4 scene 4

Answer 15

Hamlet encounters a captain from Fortinbras’ army and reflects on his own inaction.

Question 16

Act 4 scene 5

Answer 16

Ophelia, driven mad by grief, sings disjointedly. Laertes returns, furious over Polonius’ death.

Question 17

Act 4 scene 6

Answer 17

Hamlet’s letter reveals he escaped the ship to England and is returning to Denmark.

Question 18

Act 4 scene 7

Answer 18

Claudius and Laertes plot to kill Hamlet with a rigged duel. Gertrude reports Ophelia’s death by drowning.

Question 19

Act 5 scene 1

Answer 19

In the graveyard, Hamlet contemplates mortality while speaking to a gravedigger. Ophelia’s funeral procession arrives, and Hamlet and Laertes fight in her grave.

Question 20

Act 5 scene 2

Answer 20

The duel between Hamlet and Laertes takes place. Gertrude drinks poisoned wine intended for Hamlet and dies. Laertes wounds Hamlet with a poisoned blade but is fatally injured himself. Before dying, Laertes reveals Claudius’ plot. Hamlet kills Claudius and dies. Fortinbras arrives to claim the throne.